davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
WOMEN IN MOURNING.

A Fashion That n Carried to Ridiculous
Excess in This Country.
In driving or walking through the
streets an attentive observer can not
fail to be impressed by multitudes Of
feminine figures dressed in mourning.
Emblems of woe are to be met on
every side, some graceful forms, in
deed. being so completely swathed in
c!inging black draperics and impenc-
trable walls that they resemble shadows
from the inferno. Certainly no fashion
is carried to more ridiculous excess
than the wearing of mourning. and for
many women there seems to be an
especial and unconquerable attraction
about Grape and dead jet They like
to wear mourning. just as they in
variably exhibit predictions for mill
tary uniforms and bargains. The
phenomenon might be moderately
reasonable if black clothes were always
becoming to the wearer. But they are
not, and the women whose cOloring
and complexion are least suited to
Henrietta cloth and nuns vailing are
generally the ones who wear mourning
longer than any one else. When a
death occurs in a family the dress
maker is instantly summoned and
every thing that ingenuity can devise
in the way of hideous and mournful
raiment is instantly ordered and worn
indefinitely. In Europe the custom is
different and much more sensible. Six
months is considered . sufficiently
long period for anybody to wear deep
mourning, and deep mourning abroad
means simply any thing black. A
widow in the first days of her. grief
will wear costume of glistenins
black silk covered with brilliant cut
jet. And pray. why should she not?
How much more elegant and suitable,
not to say sensible, is gown like this
instead of the dense somberness of our
own mourning costumes that are
enough to afflict every one with chronic
blue devils? In this country people
are beginning to show more common
sense than heretofore about the length
Of time mourning should be worn. but
there is still much to be desired in tho
character of the dress itself These
inky phantoms that parade our streets
are neither cheerful nor edifying
spectacles-Clava LAMA. IN Brooklyn
times.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
Something Happened.

He was rowing around in a saloon on
Woodbridge street the other day. and
finally stood up to the bar and pound
cd on it with his fist as he exclaimed:
.'Give me a show and I'll lick tho
whole police force of Detroit
Twill you?" queried Officer Gordon.
as he approached him from behind and
took him by the collar.
The five or six men standing around
began to laugh, and the roysterer
made a gesture of disgust and exc
claimed:
"But what chance have Igot? Some
thing always happens just this way.
and I'm growing weary Of this life. -.
Detroit Free Press
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
elxsy WAS CALM.
4 Devoted Fathers Sell. Posssssion Undsa
Trying Circumstances.

i Devoted Fathers slf.Posssssioa Undee
Trying Clreunstareea
One Of the Bixby children was
seized with a fit of Group the other
night Bixby heard the little fellows
labored breathing. and bounding clear
over the foot-board of the bed. yelled
out GROUP in about the same voice
that the escaped idiot yells Fire" a.
the theater.
Then he tried to put his trousers on
over his head. but finally got them on
wrong side out. and tore into his shirt
with it wrong side in front
''Jump!" he screamed to his wife,
''there isn't a second to lose! Get tho
slrup of squills! Put on tub of hot
water! Give him something to drink!
Get hot flannels on his chest instantly!
Hurry! hurry! Don't lie there doing
nothing while the child is choking to
death! Fly around!''
Mrs. Bixhy is one of those meek but
eminently sensible and practical little
women who never get tenth part of
the credit for the good they do in this
world. While Bixby was racing up
and down stairs. declaring that no
body was doing any thing bu: himself.
Mrs. Bixby quietly took the little
sufferer in hand.
''Do something quick" screeched
Bixby. as he upset pan of hot water
on the bed and turned a saucer of
melted lard oTer on the dressing-case.
Here. somebody. quick!" he yelled.
Cant anybody do a thing but me?
Run for the doctor. some of You. Give
the child some more squills. Is there
any thing hot ut his feet? Give him
aconite! He ought to have a spoon of
oil If he don't get relief instantly
he'll die, and here there's nobody
trying to do thing but me! Bring
him some warm water with little
soda in it. He ought to have been put
into hot bath an hour ago. Heat up
the bathroom! What's on his chest?
Great heavens! has the child got to die
because no one will do a thing for
him?'
Mrs. Bixby quietly and unaided
brings the child around all right, and
sits with him until daylight. after
she has Quoted B.xby down and got
him to bed.
And next morning he has the gall to
say at the office:
lone of my little chaps nearly died
with Group last night. and 1 had
mighty hard work bringing him
around all right, but l did. after work.
ing like Trojan all night. It's
terrible disease. and scares women
nearly to death. They fly all to
pieces right of. A person wants their
wits about them. You want to keep
perfectly cool and not fool away Sec
ond in Mysteries. That's where man
has the advantage over a woman in
managing u case of group. It's mighty
lucky was at home to take my little
chap in hand. "-Zen0s Dane, in It'd
Bits.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22

French Omelette. Four eggs,
three tablespoonful of milk, one tea
spoonful of sweet herbs chopped fine
tparsley. lemon thyme. marjoram;
dried herbs in the winter). two tea
spoonfuls of grated cheese. three
ounces of butter. Beat up the eggs.
then add the milk. herbs and cheese;
put the butter into a frying-pan; let
boil until it sputters. then pour in the
omelette. stir it round carefully one
way until it thickens. then shake it up
. little that it does not stick to the
pan and serve up hot-Aontreal VT
ness.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
IN EASTERN SIBERIA.
A Travellers Description OF . Dance
KAmach4tkA.

A Travellers Description Of . Dance In
KAmschStka.
A dance had Just ceased as we ar
rived. and we took our seats in placid
ignorance of what was in store for us.
Presently the squeak of the fiddle was
heard, and instantly the ladies rushed
in search of partners. There was a
great move in the direction of the two
Swedes and the rest of the party; and
as became q modest old bachelor
prepared to fare tapisseris with the
papas and mammas. But it was des-
tined to be otherwise. for on rails
Ing my eyes found that two
fair damsels were suing for the
honor of my hand The
young women were not beautiful.
However, there was no time
to be lost. The seal hunter, the Amer
lean niger and the tall Swede were
already hard at it, and slipping my
arm round the waist of the nearest fair
one plunged blindly into the dance.
The affair was simple enough at first.
The dance merely consisted in shutting
slowly round the room side by side,
the gentleman with his left arm free,
the lady accompanying the music with
sort of monotonous chant Time
was of no particular object. and smOk-
ing was permitted; and as we had par
taken neither of the cranberries nor
the corn brandy. we felt as well as
could be expected under the circum-
stances 1t was not for long. how
ever. Suddenly the music stopped;
every body clapped hands; and short
and stern. the order rang out in Rus
sian: kiss" There are moments
in which even the stoutest spirit
quails. turned despairing glance
on my partner and my heart sank
within me. All hope was gone! We
all know how in moments of supreme
emotion the most trivial details be-
came indelibly stamped upon the mind.
The scene is now before ME. saw
the red-haired seal-hunter bend down
to meet his fate like hero. his green
tie dangling in the air. l saw gal
liant officer who had served her Majesty
in many chimes struggle nObly to the
last. Slowly my partners arms
dragged me down the lips
stole upward. 1 nerved myself for a
final effort and all was over!
Before the next dance had fled.-Ihe
Cruise of the Adrchesa.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
EARNING aY SIGNS.
a 2leAIgaA Farmer De00astrateo TIE
Fallaey Of Suponseltioa.

a Michigan Farmer De0oastrates tA0
Failaey Of saPsnssitiea.
I am surprised that sny intelligent
person in this enlightened age of the
world should believe in these old and
foolish notions of signs. etc. It is true
that many times there may seem to be
some truth in the theory of sign plant
ing. but to any intelligent and observ-
ing person there is always some rational
cause for any difference that may Oc-
cur in crops from planting at different
times. That the changes of the moon
have any influence on the growth of
crops is one of the fallacies of supersti-
ton. If the preparation Of the soil.
and its condition rs to fertility.
friability. warmth and moisture.
are what they should be. the
crops will be good whether the
signs of the moon are right or not As
to the killing of pork. if the hogs are
thriving and are fat when killed, tho
pork will not shrink, but if they are
not thriving, or are poor, the pork will
shrink whether killed in the light or
the dark of the moon. As to the lay
ing Of shingles. it is all moonshine. I
have laid many thousands of shingles,
and in all seasons Of the year. in the
light and dark of the moon, and l
know that if the shingles are good and
properly laid, they will not rise or
warp. but if not properly laid. they
will There is o reason for all things.
and if person will stop and study
cause and effect he will give up many
of his erroneous notions. If the soil is
in the proper condition and the season
is right, the crop will be good it the
sign is not fright" but if these condi-
tons are not right the crop will be a
failure even if planted when the sign is
right"
l had an illustration of this many
years ago. 1 had prepared good
piece of ground for potatoes. 1t was
fresh and in fine condition. After I
had commenced planting, one of my
neighbors Che was one of these 'sign
farmers'O came into the field and told
me l was missing it, planting my po-
tatoes then. as the sign wasn't fright"
l asked him when the sign would be
right. He said l must wait nearly two
weeks. l told him did not believe in
his sign planting, and that l would
prove to him that there was nothing in
it; that would plant part of the field
then and would plant the rest when
he said the sign was right. did
so. In the fall, when I dug
them. I called him over to seq
the result. Those planted first
yielded nearly nearly twice as much,
and were of better quality than those
I planted last. He was nonplussed
and could not account for the differ
ence. l told him that l could; that
when l planted first the ground was in
good condition, fresh and moist, the
weather right, and they started to
grow right away; that by waiting for
the sign the ground had become some
what packed and dry. and the weather
was drier and not so favorable. and
IS . consequence the crop was not as
good. Here were cause and effect
demonstrated, and believe that it can
be demonstrated every time when the
case is studied out. I have demon
strated the fallacy of ''sign farming"
hundreds of times. to the confusion Of
sign believers. Cor. Ohio Farmer.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
A GREAT CURIOSITY.

Smithsonian Institution.
Several boxes and barrels of bones
Of the great aux. bird that is now
believed to be extinct, have been re.
ceived at the Smithsonian Institution
from the Banks of Newfoundland. The
great aux was notable in size. As it
stood or sat erect it was over two feet
high. 1t had strong bill or beak,
something in the shape of the razor
bill. One of its peculiarities. and the
one to which it is indebted for its final
extinction. was the rediculOusly small
wings. These wings were useless for
purposes of flight. but were used for
swimming purposes. The great aux was
a powerful swimmer. With its web
feet in motion in the rear like propel-
Ter, and its wings beating rapidly, it
would literally fly through the water.
making such speed that powerful oars.
men in boat could not overtake it.
But ashore it was a clumsy and stupid
creature.
Before Europeans sought the Amer
lean coast the savages, it is believed,
hunted the helpless birds until they
were driven to the rocks and ISL
ands far out at sea, inaccessible to
the Indians, with their primitive
means of navigation. But toward the
end of the fifteenth century the bold
sailors of northern Europe began MAX
ing expeditions into the waters where
the great auks kept their vigils on the
rocks, and the war of determination be-
gan. Early writers describe these birds
as found in great number. On shore they
fell easy prey to the mariners. Some
times Il plank was laid from the ship
to the rocky island, or sail was spread
out like bridge, and over this the
birds were driven aboard like SO many
geese. Or they were driven into pen
and slaughtered with sticks. In such
numbers were they found that ships
sent to the fishing banks were only
scantily supplied with provisions. the
dependence for supplies being upon
the great auks which nature had pro-
vided in such abundance.
The last authentic record of the
great auks having been seen alive was
in 1874, when two were captured in
Iceland. In 1852. one is said to have
been seen alive on the Newfoundland
banks. and, in 1856. \ dead one-pcr.
haps the last of his race-was report
ed rs found in Trinity bay; but
Symington Groves thinks all reported
observations since 1874 are mis-
takes. So many years have elapsed
since it is positively known one
was seen alive, that all hope
has died that any have escaped
the great destruction. As it frequent
ed isolated situations, for the sake OF
security. little is known of its habits.
1t laid but one egg, and this was de-
posted on the bare rock. Thus,
scanty provision was made by nature.
to repay the losses caused by the
wholesale destruction of the harmless
and helpless birds. The great aux
waddled from its rocky nest in un-
calmly fashion to the brink. sometimes
tumbling into the water from quite
height, but, once in the water. it was
as graceful as yacht, propelling it.
self rapidly. 1t fed upon small fish.
which it caught with great dexterity.
Washington Star.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
SCHOOL AND CHURCH.


Ten counties in Iowa lave women
school slperintendents.
The McAl Mission in Paris now
occupies thirty-6ve stations
The city of Toronto has . popula-
ton Of 1900. and prospers without
Sunday horse-cars and without . single
Sunday newspaper.
II good people would but mako
goodness agreeable. and smile instead
of frowning in their virtue. how many
would they gain to the good cause?-
Cssher.
The receipts Of the American
Board for the first month Of the pres
ent year amounted to $50. 66a 81. being
double that of the same month last
year.
III man should lose an article of
wearing apparel every time he told !.
lie. there are men who would never
pray for winter. .ddrance
Thought.
The American Board recently held
farewell meeting in Boston for fifty
eight missionaries-one to Spain. nine
to India, thirteen to Turkey. sixteen to
Japan. nineteen to China. - Public
Opinion.
Prot Thomas Carnelly and a Mr..
Holdam. Of n college at Dundee. have
been investigating sewer air. and re-
port that it averages as pure. so far as
~.,I %G-
air in ordinary houses.
The Presbyterians Of New York
City are talking about raising fund
of 81. 900. 900 for ministerial relief. and
it is desired to have the amount
pledged before the centennial OF
Presby:crianism in 1888.
in studying the Word of God
digest it under these two heads: either
As removing some Instructions that
keep God and thee asunder. or rs sup
plying some uniting power to bring
God and thee together.-CecH.
The Ladies' Association of tho
Established Church of Scotland raised
S3l. 7S5 in 1886. and in its mission in
Africa. India and China they support
II European missionaries and 90
Eurusian and native workers. In
their 80 schools are 2, 1853 scholars, and
400 Zenanas welcome the visits and
teaching of their Christian agents.
Public Opinion.
The memorial of st. Paul which
some Americans propose to set up in
his native city Of Tarsus will take the
practical shape of a training school for
orphans. of which there are great
many in Cilicia About 81. 500 a year
have been pledged. sum sufficient to
support about fifty children. DR..
Howard Crosby is the president of the
board of managers.
The following statistics have been
published of London: Aggregate mid
summer population. SAG, OO6; total
church sittings. 1908. 5O9-a proper
ton of IS per cent. to the population.
OF this IS per cent. the Establishment
supplies 495 per cent. and the free
churches 500 per cent. 1t is estimated
that not more than one-half the accom-
mediation is actually used for public
worship.
The Congregationalists at Manga
tuck, Conn.,. are erecting a parish
house with twenty-four rooms. besides
hall, cloak-rOOms and closets. The
first floor has an assembly-rOom. re-
ception-room. Sunday-school. library
81
ond floor eight class-rooms, reading
rooms. kitchen. dining-room. coat
and cloak rooms. On the third floor
will be the pastors study and a room
for a gymnasium Oninion
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22

-Sprinkling salt on the tops and at
the bottom of garden walls is said to
keep snails from climbing up or down.
Farm, Field and Stock1san.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22

-"What sort of a woman il shef"
''Ob. she's one of those woraen wke
wear dogs when they 60 to rjdsr'
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22

1t is said that Julian Hawthorne 10
70 give up writing to 60 into business
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-08
WEATHER PROPHETS

WASHINGTON, D. c., April l, 1887.
To Signal Ofioor, Memphis. Tenn:
By order Of "Old Probs" you are
hereby ordered to provide the fol-
lowing April weather for Memphis,
Tenn:
From Isl to 10Th inclusive. Run
up the flag announcing that it is
time to get new Spring Clothing, and
that the MIsFIT CLOTHING PAR
LoRs, No. 262 Second street, are
crowded with fine Spring Suits and
Overcoats, which are being offered
at very low prices.
From 11th to 10th inclusive. Fold
away the "cold wave" flag in cam
phor and give the public to under
stand that the MIsFIT CLOTHING
PARLoRs are selling for $12, SIS and
$1S Suits that are really worth
double those figures.
From 21st to 30th inclusiUe. Turn
on enough heat to convince the peo-
pie that winter is finally over. Dis
play "cautionary signals" against
high prices, and remind the world
that to get full value for money
Clothing should always be bought at
the MIsFIT PARLoRs.
Poiats.-April will have but thirty
days. 1t is short work, and people
with short pocketbooks will find
that they can save money by buying
Overcoats, Suits or Pants at the
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-08
ADDITIONAL RIVERS.

WHEELING, April 7.-Night-River
6 feet ON tne gauge aud rising. Weather
clear and pleasant.
NEW ORLEANS, April 7.-Night-Ar.
rived: Golden Rule, Cincinnati; An
ME P. Silver, st. Louis,
PIrrsBURa, April 7.-Night-River
3 feet 9 inches on the gauge and rising.
Weather clear aud cool.
CIHcINNATI, April 7.-Night-River
l6 feet 4 inches on the gauge and sta
tlonary. Weather clear and mild.
EVANSVILLE, April 7.-Night- River
Is feet on the gauge and stationary.
Weather clear and mild; thermometer
76'. Departed: Granite State, Cincin-
natl.
LOUISVILLE, April 7.-Night-Rivei
River 7 feet IL inches In the canal and
s feet 8 inches on the falls and station
ary. Weather partly CLOUDY and mild.
Departed: Ohio, Memphis.
VIcKsBuRa, April L. Night - Ar.
rived: City OF Providence, st. Louis.
Passed down: Will S. Hays, New Or
leans. Passed up: City OF st. Louis
and oakland and bsrSes, St. Louis.
CAIRO, April 7.-Night-River "a feet
on the gauge and failing. Weather fair
and warm. Arrived: City of Cairo,
Vicksburg, ii am; Paris @. Brown,
New 0rlesne, Bpm. Departed: City
OF Cairo. st. Louis, noon; Paris q.
Blown, Cincinnati, Bpm.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-08
PERSONAL.

LOUIS KAHN and wife have returned
from trip to New York,
JOHN w. VoEGELI has returned from
business and pleasure trip to the
East.
CHARLEs WuRTzBURGER has gone to
New York on a months visit to
friends.
E. G.. ROBINSON and family have
moved from Shelby street to their
summer residence, three miles out, on
the boulevard.
MRS, NAT BAXTER, JR, and daugh-
ters, Misses Mamie and Lollie, OF
Nashville, will be in the city for a few
days as gue,ts of Mrs. s. s. Spicer, No.
1886 Vance street.
Mrs. G. ]. WILSON, wife of Mr.. G.
j. Wilson, an attache OF the Scimitdr,
died at the family residence, on High
street, Wednesday morning. The
.uSsrs! occurred yesterday afternoon,
the Rev. r, II. Mahon officiating.
Mrs, ALICE T. SHELTON died at Q 80
O'Clock last night at No. 104 Court
street, after brief but painful illness.
Her funeral will occur this afternoon
from her late residence. She leaves
three children, a number Of relatives
and large circle Of friends to mourn
her loss.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-08
RAILROAD TIAE TABLE.

Kansas City, Memphis nnd Birm,
fngham.-Trains move as iollowsj. No !
leaves Memphis 4;t0 en-; No. II tfreight1l
leaves At $50 Am; No: arrives "a al aoilO
SH 49, Il pf' AND 1TfSss 81
noye as follows: New 0rleaEs mail arrives
daily at Q 90 .. m. leaves daily at 100 y; N :
Sardis accommodation arrives daily at 9;oO
m, leaves daily at 400 pm. Mall trains
will mot stop At Whitehayen. Horn Lake.
Nesbit or Loves, or hag stations,
Chsse pea n and ohio ROute-Trains
move as follows: Fast line leaves at $3.50
am. ST Louis fast line leaves at ;I ?; M =;
hm ississipni valley Route H., N. o.
and r. NY l-Trains on this road run az
follows! New Orleans last mail, daily leaves
.. VIcEsHpTE s5srsss %a' sSiiS
arrives at 9:l0 am; Vicksburg express
Lonisviiic and Nashville. - Trains
meve as follows: Fast mail arrives daily at
6;I5 am. y; leaves at 1910 p.m. Mail leaves
daily at 10:10 a.m.; arrives at 1900 p;m'
Brownsville accommodation leaves daily
except Sunday, at $500 pm; arrives daily
except Sunday, at 1850 q. m.-standard time
Cuff ROute--, KREsas cay, Spring
Held and siemphisl-Trains leave M. and
T. depot as follows; No. 4, Kansas City ex-
pross, leaves at 0:46 a.m; No. 3, Kansas
City express, arrives at $50 pm. NO =,
Kansas City mail leaves at 0 ;O0 p,m.; NO; l.
Kansas City mail, arrives at S;i6 Am. No:
500 pm, No. /, st. Louis and Chicago OK
press, arrives at s;i5a.m. In effect Sunday,
April Is, 1886.
move as follows: Through express leaves
daily at 10 100 pm. Mail and express leaves
daily at $3.50 am. Somerville accommoda-
ton leaves daily, except Sunday, at 4:4O
pm. Through express arrives daily at B;ll
pm. Mail and, express arrives daily at 9;lt
pm. Someryille acc9mmodation arrives
daily, except Sunday, ats 80 am.
Memphis and Little Rock.-Train'
movo as follows central standard time)
No. leaves Memphis daily nj 6 10 o.. m; No
5 freight leaves Hopofeld at $3.50 a M
No. 2 arrives ut Memphis at S:i0 pm; No.
Qreisht) arrives at Hopo6eld at i:2O PEN.